The Anti-vandal Unit of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Akwa Ibom State Command has impounded three (3) trucks conveying a total of 135,000 litres of petroleum products and arrested 8 suspects for illegal dealings in petroleum products.

The arrests were made on the 14th of July, 2024 along Ikot Abasi- Portharcourt Expressway in Akwa Ibom State by operatives of the Anti-vandal squad.

The trucks were halted for routine inspection of documents by NSCDC personnel who insisted on sighting relevant papers including: licence to buy, sell and convey petroleum products as stipulated in the Petroleum Industry Act. The inability of the suspects to produce complete relevant documents led to their arrest and their trucks impounded for illegal dealing in petroleum products, an offence punishable by section 17 of the Miscellaneous Offences Act.

Two of the trucks were conveying about 45,000 litres apiece of Automative Gas Oil (AGO) popularly known as Diesel while the third truck was conveying about 45,000 litres of Petroleum Product suspected to be Crude oil or used engine oil, a petroleum by-product for which a license is also required to buy, sell or transport.

In another development, one suspect; Timothy Ita Mathew, ‘M’ 28years was arrested by operatives of NSCDC on 15th of July, 2024 in Idu Uruan, Uruan LGA for Criminal conspiracy, tampering and theft of Armoured Cable in a transformer at the Nigeria Medical Association Center in Uruan.

The suspect who is currently under investigation is believed to have connived with criminals who breached the security of the facility where he was providing security and vandalised/stole armoured cable.

Briefing newsmen at the Command headquarters in Uyo, Commandant Eluwade Eluyemi restated the commitment of the corps to curtail all forms of illegalities including; illegal bunkering, adulteration of petroleum products, operating without license, illegal refining and vandalisation of pipelines to the barest minimum in Akwa Ibom State.

He cautioned against vandalism of public utilities; describing it as a crime against the society, as it deprives everyone the common good they are meant to enjoy. Comdt Eluwade assured that the suspects will be prosecuted as soon as investigations and forensic analysis are concluded to serve as deterrent to others.

The NSCDC boss called the attention of anyone seeking to venture into the oil and gas business to obtain the right license for their business engagement from the Nigeria Midstream Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and always have them handy to avoid arrest.

SC Friday Ekerete , ANIPR
Public Relations Officer
NSCDC Akwa Ibom State Command

For State Commandant.